Died on freeway

1617 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by Carsmak, May 5, 2016

roadie

Discussion Starter · May 4, 2016 (Edited)

Hi guys need some help. They other day when parking in my garage I shut the ignition off and the gauges flickered. Didn't think much of it at the time, it started fine the next morning and no symptoms other than auto drivers window didn't work. Reprogrammed it, drove all day with no issues then on the way home on the freeway doing about 75 and ac on the truck jerked like it wanted to die and all lights came on, but it didn't shut off. Pulled to the side of the road to inspect everything and truck remained running with no other issue. Drove home fine. Battery is new, does this sound like the alternator is flaking out? Battery was replaced under warranty, thinking alternator caused that to fail initially and am having same issue along with bad alternator. Any help would be appreciated. Thx!

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Carsmak

· #2 · May 4, 2016

Check the Battery first, Sounds like when my battery went and lost a "cell". Can get the Alternator tested at the same time

Mine did it on the 10 west of Desert Hot Springs a few years ago.

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CW_TUCSON

· #3 · May 5, 2016

Ensure battery connections are clean and tight, perhaps when new battery was installed poor connections were made. I would loosen, remove, and clean well with wire brush. Most auto parts stores will check battery and charging system for free and can identify was is bad. This is the first time I've heard these symptoms, though with newer cars and all the electronics, perhaps take to good mechanic or dealer.

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Carsmak

· #4 · May 5, 2016 (Edited)

True, but there are multiple threads on ground strap issues, and on battery threads.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/103-first-generation-2006-2014/127274-electrical-ground-under-ps-reservoir.html this thread includes a good diagram of the ground locations

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/71-problems-issues/126730-07-battery-alternator-ground.html this thread is another RL owner with a bad cell, I've had this happen

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/71-problems-issues/94025-battery-keeps-dying.html parasitic loss thread

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roadie

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 5, 2016

I'm leaning towards alternator with the symptoms, I've never had a vehicle die with a bad battery, but rather it won't start. Having it tested first thing in morning. At 135k miles probably will do alternator for peace of mind anyway. I appreciate the responses.

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Carsmak

· #6 · May 5, 2016 (Edited)

A digital volt meter will tell you now if you've lost a cell. Mine was reading like 10.9v and should read without the alternator between 12.3v & 13.4v. Amazingly it would start, but would get real whacky once running? Also when I pulled it, 8-10 hrs after it happened, there was battery acid everywhere, in the tray, and all around the outside of the battery.

I'll try to add some links to some of the other threads which exist on batteries here on the ROC.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/71-problems-issues/122105-battery-alternator.html similar to your conditions.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/7-under-hood-performance/23275-how-long-till-your-original-rl-battery-died.html 47 pages on batteries dying...

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/7-under-hood-performance/112426-battery-connection-corrosion-2.html battery corrosion issues.

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